West urged to give Pakistan $5bn

Report to say US and Europe must help shore up Pakistan's economy or risk chaos there.

25 Feb 2009 01:00 GMT

Concerns have been raised over Pakistan's move to restore sharia in the Swat valley [EPA]

The report "calls for an additional $4bn-$5bn of immediate financial aid for Pakistan to avert an economic meltdown", a statement by the council said.

"Given the tools and the financing, Pakistan can turn back from the brink. But for that to happen, it needs help now."

Appeasement concerns

However, some US politicians have already questioned the amount of aid given to Pakistan, and concerns have been raised over Islamabad's strategy for dealing with Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters after it reached a deal with religious leaders in the Swat valley area to introduce sharia, or Islamic law, as part of a truce.